Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 155, No. 19
INSIDE
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Carrillo selected to fill vacancy on Kennett School Board By Chris Barber Contributing Writer
The Kennett Consolidated School District board selected Lenda Carrillo to fill the seat left vacant with the resignation last month of Maribel Garcia. Carrillo, 41, of Kennett Square, earned six of the Voters’ Guide by the board’s votes at the May League of Women Voters of Chester County...2B- 10 meeting in the Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center. 10B She defeated Dominic Perigo, a former school board member and current
volunteer, who also applied for the position. She is a clinical supervisor at Behavior Health Systems in the borough. She is a graduate of Kennett High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Pennsylvania State University and her master’s degree in mental health counseling at Immaculata University. Carrillo has two children, one in seventh grade and one in first grade. Following her election, she said, “It’s an honor. I’m very
happy … beyond happy.” Among those advocating for her selection to the board was board member Dave Kronenberg, who said, “I believe the board is making a statement to the community with this vote. Forty-five percent of the student body is Hispanic, and zero percent of the board is. I think it’s important for the students to have someone to look up to and stand for them.” Photo by Chris Barber Carrillo said she would Kennett School Board president Joe Meola, right, like to advocate for swears in Lenda Carrillo to her seat on the board. She Continued on page 2A
Community rallies to support ‘amazing young man’ In the thicket of their expression...4A
Jacob Yoder, an Army National Guardsman, was injured in a serious auto accident last October. Local police and firefighters are taking part in a softball tournament on May 22 to help support Jacob, who still has many needs while he works toward his recovery By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
The history of the mushroom industry...1B
INDEX Opinion.......................7A Obituaries..............5A-6A Classifieds.................8A
$1.00
The community is rallying to support Jacob Tyler Yoder, a 20-year-old southern Chester County man who suffered a traumatic brain injury in an auto accident last October. Union Fire Company No. 1 of Oxford and the Oxford Borough Police Department are teaming up to take on the State Police from the Avondale Baracks in a softball tournament on May 22. The afternoon of fun includes plenty of food and drinks for sale, as well music, raffles, and more. The event, which will take place at the Oxford AA Field, benefits Jacob, who is making progress in his recovery, but Courtesy photo still has considerable needs. Jacob Yoder is enlisted in the Army National Guard Shawn and Natasha Yoder, and graduated from basic training in Fort Benning, Jacob’s parents, said that Georgia. He was a distinguished honor graduate, earnContinued on page 2A
ing an invitation to Ranger School.
replaces Maribel Garcia, who resigned last month.
Dennis C. Melton, architect, musician, community leader, 1947-2021 By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer The Kennett Square community has lost one of its most significant visionaries, trailblazers and leaders. Dennis C. Melton, an architect, musician and one of the founding members of The Kennett Flash, died on May 5 at the age of 73, due to a recent brain aneurysm. Born in Winchester, Va. on June 2, 1947 to parents Howard and Marion, Melton served the local community in his capacity as the principal at Melton Architects, which he began in 1993. During his career as an architect, he was responsible for the design or reservation behind many iconic landmarks in Kennett Square, including the Anson Nixon Park Performance Pavilion, the Country Butcher, Philter Coffee, and the restoration of the historic Chalfonte House.
At the time of his death Dennis was the local architect of record for the new Kennett Library & Resource Center, a 29,257-square-foot building that will begin construction this summer. “Dennis will be sorely missed,” said Jeff Yetter, president of the Kennett Library Board of Trustees. “He truly loved Kennett and helped to shape the Kennett Square that exists today.” In addition to his work as an architect, Melton served the Kennett community in several leadership roles. He was the President of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce in 2006 and was a member of the Legislative Committee and the Route 1 Corridor Initiative. With his guitar, introspective original songs and his signature hats, Melton was also one of the region’s most prominent musicians, pairing Continued on page 3A
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Primary Election takes place on May 18
© 2007 The Chester County Press
Eight candidates vying for four seats on Oxford School Board By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer School board candidates are vying for one seat in each of the three regions of the Oxford Area School District, as well as an at-large position that is up for election this year. Candidates for school board positions may run for one party’s nomination or cross file to appear on both ballots in the Pennsylvania Primary Election. Two candidates are seeking the nomination for the at-large seat: Jennifer Kehs has cross-filed and will appear on both the Republican and Democratic primary ballots, while Sherri Matis-Mitchell is on the Democrat ballot only. Kehs is originally from the Pittsburgh area, and she has lived in Upper Oxford Township for the last 19 years. She has five children now attending the Oxford Area School District, including the district’s Early College Academy. Her children’s success has been a motivation for her run for a seat on the school board. “I think it’s been a really good experience for my kids,” she said. “I want to be involved in what they are going to be learning, and ensuring they
have these programs like the Early College Academy.” Kehs has been very involved in the community, particularly with youth. She has been a Girl Scouts leader and is a Junior and Youth Program Leader at Russellville Grange. “I have a love for children,” she said. “I think this would be a good place for me to serve and try to make sure the education they get is of the highest quality—that they have a lot of programs available to help them grow and develop.” Kehs is a Penn State University graduate with a degree in chemistry who works as a clinical researcher. She has 25 years of experience in the pharmaceuticals industry, plus a strong background in both science and business. She is very organized. “Those skills that I bring with me from that background will help me (on the school board),” she said. ”I think I do well with budgets and timelines and negotiations.” Quality of education is one of Kehs’ main concerns, along with financial responsibility. “Making sure that the resources are there for our kids, as well as good, strong people that can teach our children, and just making sure that we balance the budget, that’s all
important for the school. We can still offer good programs for the kids with a balanced budget,” she said. “I’m a resident of the area so, of course, I’m always concerned about our residential school taxes. It would be good if we could balance the budget without raising taxes for people that live in the area.” Her greatest concern is the children of the school district. “I think what’s really key to me is that I really have a heart for kids,” she said. “The school district serves children in this area of all ages. I think we should be ensuring a good, strong education is available to all the kids, and that they have all of the different programs they need to be successful.” This is Kehs’ first time running for office. “I’m very active in my community. This is just another way to serve,” she said. Matis-Mitchell is seeking the democratic nomination after running for the school board two years ago, when she cross-filed. “I don’t believe the school board should be partisan,” she said. “It’s about students and how schools benefit our community, and that’s nonpartisan. I do not have children in Continued on page 3A
A look at some of the decisions registered voters will be making in this election cycle By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer Voters will see plenty of familiar names when they cast ballots in the Pennsylvania Primary Election on Tuesday, May 18 as many incumbents are seeking re-election. The Primary Election allows registered voters of each political party to select the candidates who will be nominated for the General Election. The General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Here’s a look at some of the decisions voters will be making in the Primary Election: Borough Council races In Oxford Borough, three incumbents are seeking reelection in a crowded field that is likely to remain crowded heading into the General Election. With four seats up for election in 2021, the Democratic candidates who have filed are incumbents Robert Ketcham and Ron Hershey as well as Amanda Woolston and Mary-Laura Buchner Hulse. On the Republican side,
Amanda Birdwell is seeking re-election and Michael McMurrough and Bill Fitzpatrick are looking to win their first election to Oxford Borough Council. In Avondale Borough, the borough council candidates who have filed are Democrats Janet Watts and Michael Essmaker and incumbent Republican William Shore, Jr. Council president David Prosser is seeking re-election in West Grove Borough, as is council member William Temme. Lauren McDevitt, Leandria Hall, and Michael Ranieri have also filed for the Primary Election. Big changes appear to be coming to Kennett Square Borough Council, where the four incumbents who are up for election this year are not seeking re-election. Kathleen Caccamo, Timothy Kerver, Samantha Ferraro, and Bob Norris have all filed for the Primary Election as Democrats. Norris previously served on the Kennett School Board and as a supervisor in New Garden Township. Continued on page 2A